Oliver Barker-Vormawor secures bail following repeated denials in unlawful protest case
Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the convener of the Democracy Hub protest, has been arrested for his involvement in demonstrations against illegal mining (galamsey) in Accra. Along with 52 others, he was taken into custody on September 23, 2024, and faces multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a public officer, and offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.
Since his arrest, Barker-Vormawor has been denied bail on three separate occasions. According to TV3’s court correspondent, Laud Adu-Asare, the Accra Circuit Court twice refused his bail request, and a subsequent appeal to the High Court was also unsuccessful. The presiding High Court judge expressed concerns about his likelihood to reoffend, noting that he had previously committed offences while on bail for treason felony charges.
On October 7, during his latest court appearance, Barker-Vormawor was once again denied bail. However, the judge ordered that the Circuit Court begin his trial within 72 hours, warning that bail would be granted if the prosecution failed to initiate the process within that timeframe.
In the same protest-related case, 20 other Democracy Hub members were granted bail on October 7. The Accra High Court set bail for nine of them at GH¢70,000 each with two sureties, while 11 others were released on bail of GH¢20,000 each, also with two sureties.
Barker-Vormawor’s case took a turn when his legal team successfully renewed their bail application at the High Court. He was granted bail at GH¢20,000 with two sureties, on the condition that he reports to the police twice a week.
